How to Fly to Greece with Points

By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated June 2026

The short answer: Greece is reached mainly by connecting through a European hub, with Aegean Airlines, a Star Alliance member, the key home carrier. Book Star carriers through Avianca LifeMiles, Aeroplan, or Turkish, and use distance-based Avios for cheap island-hopping once you arrive. Summer is very peak, so book early for both flights and island connections.

This guide covers reaching Greece with points, the best programs, and island-hopping tactics. Award prices and availability change constantly as programs devalue and adjust, so treat every points figure here as a rough, illustrative guide rather than a guarantee. Always confirm the current price and that an award seat is actually available on the airline own site before you transfer points, since transfers are one-way and cannot be reversed.

Getting to Greece

Athens is the main gateway to Greece, with some seasonal nonstop service from the US on major carriers in summer and one-stop connections year-round through European hubs. Because Aegean Airlines, the Greek flag carrier, is a Star Alliance member, connecting through a Star hub like Frankfurt, Munich, or Istanbul and onward on Aegean is a natural routing.

The islands like Santorini and Mykonos are reached by short flights or ferries from Athens, mostly seasonal, so most itineraries route through Athens first. See our Europe guide.

The best programs for Greece

Greece Star Alliance connection makes Star programs the workhorses. Avianca LifeMiles prices Star business class with no fuel surcharges, and Aeroplan and Turkish are also strong, with Turkish offering convenient connections through Istanbul to Athens. United MileagePlus can book Aegean and other Star carriers too.

For the transatlantic leg, you can also use SkyTeam through Flying Blue or Oneworld through the Avios programs, depending on the routing, then connect onward. Compare programs and watch surcharges. See our Avianca and Turkish deep dives.

Island-hopping with Avios

Once in Greece, the short flights from Athens out to the islands are perfect for distance-based Avios, which price short hops very cheaply. Booking these segments with Avios, often on Aegean or other partners, can be far better value than cash for the inflated summer island fares, and it keeps your long-haul miles intact.

Plan island travel carefully, since summer demand is high and schedules are seasonal. Consider whether flights or ferries suit your itinerary, and use an open-jaw to avoid backtracking through Athens. See our Avios deep dive and booking tactics guide.

Premium versus economy to Greece

Business class to Greece, via a surcharge-free Star Alliance routing, is a strong use of points given high summer cash fares, with the overnight eastbound flight being where a lie-flat seat matters most. The onward hop to Athens is short, so a mixed-cabin award, business on the long leg and economy on the short connection, works well.

Economy is a good value in peak summer when fares spike. In shoulder season, compare cheaper cash fares against the points cost. See our business class and economy guides.

When to go

Greece is intensely seasonal, with summer being peak for both the mainland and the islands, when cash fares and demand are highest. That makes points especially valuable, but award space, both transatlantic and to the islands, is tight, so book early. Late spring and early fall offer great weather, better availability, and lower fares.

If you want the classic summer island trip, search early and stay flexible on dates and gateways. Award prices and availability change constantly as programs devalue and adjust, so treat every points figure here as a rough, illustrative guide rather than a guarantee. Always confirm the current price and that an award seat is actually available on the airline own site before you transfer points, since transfers are one-way and cannot be reversed. See our finding award space guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to fly to Greece with points?

Connect through a European hub on a Star Alliance carrier, since the Greek carrier Aegean is in Star Alliance, and book through Avianca LifeMiles, Aeroplan, or Turkish. Athens is the main gateway, with seasonal nonstops in summer.

How do I get to the Greek islands with points?

The short flights from Athens to islands like Santorini and Mykonos are ideal for distance-based Avios, which price short hops cheaply, often on Aegean or partners. This is far better value than inflated summer cash fares for the island legs.

Which programs are best for Greece?

Star Alliance programs, because Aegean is a Star member. Avianca LifeMiles adds no fuel surcharges, while Aeroplan and Turkish, with its convenient Istanbul connections to Athens, are also strong choices for reaching Greece.

When is the best time to fly to Greece with points?

Summer is peak with the highest fares, making points especially valuable but award space tight, so book early. Late spring and early fall offer great weather, better availability, and lower cash fares.

Should I fly or take ferries between Greek islands?

Both work. Short flights are fast and, booked with distance-based Avios, can be cheap, while ferries are scenic. Plan around seasonal schedules and high summer demand, and use an open-jaw to avoid backtracking through Athens.